- Beacon Pest and Wildlife Control | Safe. Effective. Eco-Friendly
- info@beaconpest.ca Ancaster, Ontario
You might recognize the signs that you have unwelcome guests living in your home – strange noises coming from the walls or ceiling late at night, evidence of scavenging, or unexplained damage around your property. And you may already know that in most cases, these types of pest incursions require wildlife control services. But how did they get inside in the first place?
You might believe your home is your castle, fortified and impenetrable, but to wildlife, your home is sending an open invitation to move in and settle. Wildlife doesn’t only access your residence through the obvious entry points like chimneys or large gaping holes; there are many ways these pests are getting in. To illustrate that point, here are the top 5 wild ways wildlife are getting into your home.
1. Weeping Holes
Rodents, like mice and rats, can enter your home through holes as small as the diameter of a coin. In particular, weeping holes and cracks in the foundation make great ways for these pests to gain access to your home. To help reduce the risk, fill in gaps promptly and install weeping hole covers over larger openings.
2. Vents
Most people don’t give their dryer vents or bathroom fan vents a second thought, but to wildlife looking for a place to nest, they represent a perfect entry point to your home. These types of vents usually provide protection from water infiltration, but very often, particularly in older homes, they do not have adequate protection against pests. Plastic vent covers are no match for industrious squirrels. If your vent covers need replacing, consider metal grates instead.
3. Overgrown Shrubs
Did you know squirrels can leap up to 12 feet? If you have overgrown shrubs or trees near your home, you are inviting mice, rats, raccoons, and squirrels to come nest. From the roof, wildlife can choose from several potential access points and areas to live, from vents and chimneys to soffits and damaged shingles.
4. Rotted Window Sills
The seal between your window and wall should be tight and completely sealed. If they are not, animals could be using them to access your home. Gaps or rotten wood are the most common culprits, although some pests like squirrels may even try to chew through your screens.
5. Drain Pipes
The thought of a furry pest crawling into your home through a drain may seem like something out of a horror movie; however, they can and do access homes through various drain pipes around your property. To avoid a scary scenario, make sure all exposed drains have covers and watch for signs of cracked pipes, remember that these pests can squeeze into holes as small as a ¼ inch.
If you already have some unwanted guests, wildlife control services can take care of the problem safely, as well as deal with access points to prevent future incursions.